Dungey enters the 2013 season will a full season of experience and success aboard his Red Bull KTM. The 2010 Monster Energy Supercross Champion made 2012 a history-making season for the Austrian brand, capturing KTM’s first premier class success of any kind with four victories and establishing the team as a legitimate title contender. Now with a strong foundation of experience and additional bike development, Dungey is prepared to take on the competition full force and continue to establish a new KTM legacy.

“To have a whole year under our belt has helped work out the bugs if there were any,” said Dungey. “Starting off last season with a win at Phoenix and keeping up on the podium was great to be consistent. We’re just trying to keep making the bike better and better, keep making history, and achieve the goals we’ve set out to do. It’s definitely going to be a tough year, there’s no hiding that. Testing has gone well and I feel strong mentally, but time will tell on Saturday night when we line up and for the next 17 rounds everything will be settled.”

Following an anticipated signing with Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2012 season, Stewart didn’t achieve the results he was hoping for despite winning a pair of Main Events last season. Lingering injuries forced the former two-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion to be in and out of competition throughout the season, which ultimately eliminated him from title contention. In the offseason, Stewart parted ways with JGRMX and joined the Team Yoshimura Suzuki effort for the 2013 season. The Factory Suzuki squad is no stranger to winning championships, having piloted Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Dungey to some of their past triumphs. After an intensive offseason of testing, training and perfecting the Suzuki machine, Stewart enters Monster Energy Supercross with more confidence than ever, looking to rebound from the adversity he faced a year ago and re-establish himself as one of the planet’s most dynamic riders.

“The offseason went good,” said Stewart. “It’s hard to say why I chose where I am, but I’m glad I chose it. I really dig the team and ever since I’ve had a chance to ride the bike, I’ve been in love with it. I think we need to just wait and see and find out what happens. I think the clock is ticking for everyone. We’re all trying to accomplish one goal [by winning the championship]. Last year is in the past and if I just focus on what I’m doing and keep doing things right, everything will be good.”

Barcia is the newest face to the 450SX class, coming off a pair of 250SX Class Eastern Regional Championships during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Team Honda Muscle Milk rider made his official debut at October’s Monster Energy Cup and instantly became a rider to watch after emerging victorious at the coveted event. Barcia’s tenacious riding style has made him a fan favorite and he won’t be intimidated by his senior counterparts during his rookie campaign.

“Keeping the momentum going [from Monster Energy Cup] isn’t the easiest thing, but I’ve been home riding and having fun,” said Barcia. “I think it’s important to do that. I’m just looking forward to racing all these guys. The last couple years the way I’ve raced I think is fine, so I’m going to keep doing that. Being aggressive is one thing, but being dirty is another.”

Following the press conference, these five riders were accompanied by five additional riders on the track inside Angel Stadium for an exclusive riding session for the media. In addition to four former champions, the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross season will feature a total of 10 former 450SX Class winners – Villopoto, Dungey, Reed, Stewart, Trey Canard, Josh Grant, Josh Hill, Davi Millsaps, Andrew Short, and Kevin Windham – an all-time record for a single season, making this the most decorated field of riders in the history of the sport.